INTERVIEW: Ready to play league football

Ipswich Town loanee Jack Marriott enjoyed an impressive debut at Whaddon Road on Tuesday night and we caught up with him shortly after full time to get his thoughts on his month long stay in Cumbria.

“It was good to be involved at Cheltenham,” he said. “It’s a chance to play league football and that’s exactly where I want to be.

“I found out about the move just before Ipswich Town played Reading, on Saturday, and I thought straight away that it was going to be a great opportunity.

“I was given more of the finer details when I spoke to the manager on Saturday night and it’s been a bit of a whirlwind since then. Like I say, it’s all been good.”

“Going straight into a game is probably the best way to get to know your new team mates,” he agreed. “I prefer to have one training session and then get on with it. It was the same for me when I went on loan last season and it’s a great way to introduce yourself. Everyone can see first hand what you’re about.

“This is a move I’ve looked forward to because I feel I’m ready to play league football. I loved my time at Woking and I’ve got a lot of time for that club, because they did a lot for me. However, I’m now ready for the challenge of League Two then, hopefully, I’ll get back into the Ipswich Town first team.”

On his Tuesday night performance, he said: “I think I’ve shown everyone I’m willing to work and run a lot. That’s the bare minimum you would expect from any player. You put yourself about and do your best and, if you do that, the chances and goals will come.

“Working beside Billy [Paynter] was superb. He wins his headers and he’s always at the opposition defenders. He’s a very good player for me to play up front with and learn from.

“I’d heard the lads had struggled a little bit over the first couple of games so it’s nice to be part of getting the first point of the season. I’m here to do my best on a personal level and hopefully that will help to improve the team.”

“I’ve come here feeling like I’ve got a point to prove,” he added. “I think that’s the same wherever you play. I’ve got to cement a place in this team first and foremost. Just because I’ve come here on loan doesn’t mean I’m guaranteed anything. Hopefully I’ve done enough to get the nod at the weekend.”

The second half of the Cheltenham game brought a one-on-one situation which showed the pace and awareness the young striker adds to the mix.

“There was a lot of time to think about it as the ball came through and I was unsure whether the keeper was coming out for it or not,” he explained. “It looked like it was going to be a race between the two of us to get there first, but it didn’t turn out that way in the end.

“I managed to get across him and I lifted it slightly when I hit it. Fair play to him because he made himself massive and he got there. He ended up getting the man of the match award and that’s just the way it goes sometimes. On other days you finish it off and you win the game 1-0.”

Looking ahead, he said: “The games come thick and fast now but that’s how I like it. Saturday is a chance to meet the home fans and hopefully I’ll be able to do that in good style.

“To be honest, it’s not a club I knew too much about before I got the call ... other than it’s near Scotland and it’s a long way away! This is a good learning experience for me and I just want to see what happens.”

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